Michael B Jordan won his first Oscar tonight (15 March) for his leading role in Sinners in which he played identical twins Smoke and Stack.The news comes just under a month after Michael B Jordan and fellow co-star Delroy Lindo were widely praised for their response to the BAFTAs slur incident involving John Davidson.Early on in the Oscars race Timothee Chalamet looked a clear cut favourite, but in the end Michael B Jordan ended up being handed the award by Adrien Brody, who won last year’s Best Actor award.In an emotional speech the Sinners star referenced the fact that he is just the sixth black actor to win the award, saying: “I stand here because of the people who came before me,” referencing the likes of Sydney Poitier, Jamie Foxx and Will Smith.
Despite winning for Best Actor though, Michael B Jordan won’t technically really own the trophy he takes home tonight.Ultimately, the Academy have pretty strict rules when it comes to the Oscars, with every winner having to sign an agreement the same night they are awarded the little gold trophy.One of the most important parts of this agreement however outlines the one thing they absolutely cannot do with their Oscars trophy. This is the fact that they cannot sell their Oscar.Several have tried in the past (otherwise we probably wouldn’t have this rule), however any who have tried since 1951 would be met with a lawsuit from the Academy.This is because in the contract signed by winners, they agree that, if they try and sell the Oscar, they must first offer it to the Academy for just $1. The rule also applies even if someone inherits the statue from their parent.